Gastrointestinal helminths of eleven species of Emoia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Four hundred and forty‐six individuals representing 11 species of Emoia (Scincidae), E. atrocostata, E. battersbyi, E. caeruleocauda, E. impar, E. jakati, E. kordoana, E. longicauda, E. obscura, E. pallidiceps, E. physicae and E. popei, collected in Papua New Guinea were examined for helminths. Two species of Cestoda (Adenobrechmos greeri, Cylindrotaenia hickmani); five species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas, Paradistomoides gregarium, Saurokoilophilia kinsellai, Spelotrema brevicaeca, Zeylanurotrema sphenomorphi); 14 species of Nematoda, (gravid individuals of Abbreviata oligopapillata, Hedruris hanleyae, Kreisiella chrysocampa, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Meteterakis crombiei, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physaloperoides milnensis, Pseudoreticularia dipsarilis, Raillietnema nanus, Skrjabinodon sp. 1, Skrjabinodon sp. 2 and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp., Acuariidae gen. sp., and Riticulariidae gen. sp.) were found. The mean helminth species richness for infected skinks was 6.4±4.7 SD (range 1–14 species). Fifty‐three new host records are reported.

Keywords:

• Helminths
• Emoia lizards
• Scincidae
• Papua New Guinea

Acknowledgements

We thank E. Teodoro, S. Goldsberry and S. Kark for assistance with dissections. Innumerable people assisted with the fieldwork and we thank the inhabitants and land owners for their cooperation. Particular thanks go to Jim Anamiato, Sedeka Andrew, Ilaiah Bigilale, Noel Doni, Fred Francisco, Telon Garra, Charlie Graham, Bulisa Iova, Didibu Iova, Helen Kurage, Dyson Libai, Biga Libasi, Fred Malesa, David Mitchell, Florence Paisparea, Pesto Roberts, Bendo Salepuna, Dolasi Salepuna, John Sengo, Bena Seta, Stanley Simalken, John Slapcinsky, Brian Uruwa, Ben Yawi and Isidore Yidika for providing logistical assistance. We thank the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery for providing in‐country collaborative assistance and the Department of Environment and Conservation; National Research Institute; and Central, East New Britain, Milne Bay, Morobe, and West Sepik provincial governments for permission to conduct this research. This research was supported by National Science Foundation grant DEB 0103794. This is contribution 2008‐011 from the Pacific Biological Survey at the Bishop Museum.